Appeal after eagle eggs taken from bird sanctuary: Whitestake
(PR4 - Thursday, 20 May, 2010)

Police in Preston are appealing for information after two eagles eggs valued at £2,000 each were stolen from a bird sanctuary in Whitestake last week.

The eagle eggs, ready to hatch within days, were stolen from Turbary House Nurseries on Chain House Lane between 5pm on Thursday 13 May and 8.15am on Friday 14 May.

The thieves have approached the bird of prey sanctuary at the rear of the garden centre and forced the lock of the wooden aviary, occupied by a male and female steppe eagle.

The offenders have climbed up a ladder to the eagles nest and removed two eagle eggs before leaving the scene.

Force Wildlife Officer PC Duncan Thomas said:

"This is an appalling crime which has left the adult steppe eagles in a very distressed state.

"The eagles are extremely protective and have a very aggressive temperament so anyone entering the aviary would have come out with severe injuries had they not have entered with some sort of protective headwear and clothing.

"The eggs would need to have been incubated within a couple of hours after they were removed from the aviary to survive.

"These eggs are due to hatch over the next few days and this maybe why they have been taken now and not earlier.

"This is a rare crime and is likely to have been committed by someone who is in the falconry business with a clear idea of the value of each egg.

"Unfortunately as steppe eagles are a non native species, the chicks will be able to be sold without any certification but I would urge people to remain vigilant."

Anyone with any information about the theft of the eagle eggs should contact Lancashire Police on 08451 25 35 45.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Turbary House Nurseries
Chain House Lane
Whitestake
Preston
Lancashire
PR4